“Basement hooks, big heart, and power-pop glow ups“

There’s something extra satisfying about hearing a songwriter loosen the tie and just have fun. That’s exactly the energy on Hoopla, the new Weird Nightmare record that lands May 1. It’s bright, hook stuffed, and full of the kind of melodies that stick around long after the last chord fades.

Weird Nightmare is the solo lane for Alex Edkins, best known for steering the noise storm of METZ. But here, he swaps the volume attacks for sharp power pop snap. Think basement practice sessions, stacks of old 45s, and the thrill of figuring out your favorite song by ear. You can hear the record store kid roots all over this thing.

The latest single, “Might See You There,” leans straight into hometown flashbacks. It’s jangly, fast, and warm in that late summer way. Edkins sings about boredom, basements, and learning the entire Rancid catalog with friends like it was a life skill. It feels small and huge at the same time. The new video matches that mood, loose and nostalgic without trying too hard.

Hoopla was co produced by Edkins and Jim Eno of Spoon, tracked with Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets. You’ll catch little details that weren’t part of the first Weird Nightmare record. Piano, bells, and extra textures sneak in and give the songs a glow. There’s even a subtle nod to the wall of sound drama of Ramones’ End of the Century in the outro. It’s still scrappy. Just shinier around the edges.

If you dug “Forever Elsewhere,” this one seals the deal. Big choruses. Tight riffs. No wasted space. It’s the sound of someone who knows exactly what they love and finally lets it rip.

Pre-order Hoopla here: https://megamart.subpop.com

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Tour Dates

Fri. Apr. 24 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Sat. Apr. 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers ^
Sun. Apr. 26 – Oakland, CA – Thee Stork Club ^
Tue. Apr. 28 – Portland, OR – Soundscape NW Festival *
Wed. Apr. 29 – Seattle, WA – Baba Yaga
Fri. May 01 – Toronto, ON – Sonic Boom in-store
Sun. May 03 – Brantford, ON – zBTFD in-store
Tue. May 12 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory
Wed. May 13 – Montreal, PQ – Bar le Ritz
Sat. May 16 – Halifax, NS – Marquee Ballroom #
Wed. Jun. 17 – London, ON – London Music Hall #
Thu. Jun. 18 – Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks #
Fri. Jun. 19 – Toronto, ON – Masonic Temple #
Sat. Jun. 20 – Ottawa, ON – The Bronson #
Wed. Jun. 24 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall
Thu. Jun. 25 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd
Fri. Jun. 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Ortlieb’s
Sat. Jun. 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
Sun. Jun. 28 – Medford, MA – Deep Cuts
Fri. Aug. 28 – Malaga, ES – Canela Party Festival
Wed. Sep. 2 – Glasgow, UK – Hug & Pint
Thu. Sep. 3 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds
Sat. Sep. 5 – London, UK – The Lexington
Sun. Sep. 6 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotown
Tue. Sep. 8 – Berlin, DE – Urban Spree
Wed. Sep. 9 – Koln, DE – Bumann
Thu. Sep. 10 – Paris, FR – Point Ephemere
Fri. Sep. 11 – Lille, FR – Aeronef
Sun. Sep. 13 – Asten, NL – Misty Fields Festival

*with Bully
^ with Mrs. Magician
#with Wintersleep